Heartbleed Bug Does Not Impact VCNB Online Banking

Posted on April 18, 2014 by vcnbfamily

In the news as of late, the Heartbleed Bug has caused concern to many of our customers. While it is important to learn about the many facets of this particular vulnerability, we want you to rest assured that The Vinton County National Bank is aware and monitoring the Heartbleed Bug as it pertains to customer information.

Please rest assured that our Online Banking Applications are not vulnerable to the Heartbleed Bug. However, it is recommended that you change your online banking password. Reason being, consumers have a tendency to use the same password among many websites, some of those susceptible to an attack.

To change your password, please log-in to your online banking and click the options tab. As a reminder, please do not ever change your password via a link in an email or give out your online banking credentials over the phone or via text message. It is the policy of VCNB to never solicit your online banking password, social security number or account numbers via telephone, text or email.

As a service to our customers, we strongly recommend you stay abreast of the situation with the Heartbleed Bug. Please change your passwords on those sites they feel have been effected. It is always a good rule of thumb to change your passwords frequently and to avoid using a password more than once.

VCNB Releases Website Redesign

Posted on April 14, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Have you visited our website recently? VCNB recently unveiled some changes to www.vintoncountybank.com that we hope you will find useful.

“While our website was packed with good information, we wanted to update the website to have a more modern appearance and to make it easier to navigate,” said VCNB Marketing Specialist Justine Fyffe. “There are less pages on our new site. This will help users find the information they are looking for without having to navigate between multiple pages,” she said.

For example, the Personal Accounts page provides information on VCNB products including checking and savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards, gift cards and IRAs. Drop down boxes provide easy to read product comparisons. Many of these accounts can be opened online.

A chat button on the homepage allows any customer or potential customer to chat with bank representatives in our Customer Service, New Accounts and Loans Departments.

Other new features include a Learning Center which features training demos and links to helpful financial articles. “We also started a Kid’s Page that features our new mascot, Saver Squirrel. This page provides safe links to educational puzzles and activities for kids,” Fyffe explained.

A Google map link to all VCNB branch and ATM locations makes it easy to find our 13 banking centers. Links to the VCNB blog, Linkedin and Facebook accounts make it easy for customers to find and follow VCNB through their favorite social media.

“We are very excited about our website’s new look. We hope that customers will like the changes and that they find the website easy to navigate,” Fyffe said.

Check out the new look at www.vintoncountybank.com and be sure to comment here and tell us what you think!

VCNB Debuts New TV Commercial

Posted on March 25, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Have you seen our new tv commercial?

Checking My Way: Flexible and Easy

Posted on March 5, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Have you heard about our Checking May Way account? We really like the flexibility and options this account provides!

With Checking My Way, there is no minimum balance required and there are no fees for electronic statements. If you would like to have a paper statement mailed to you each month, the cost is $3 per month without check images and $5 per month with check images.

The account comes with a standard debit card but for a $5 fee that can be upgraded to a vanity debit card.

Free Online Banking, Bill Pay and Mobile Banking will help you to stay connect on the go and from anywhere you have internet access. Plus, Account Alerts can help you stay in the know about what’s happening with your account with various kinds of transactions.

Another great feature is Mobile Deposit which is available with our Touch Banking app. This allows Checking My Way customers to deposit a check by taking a picture of it with their mobile phone.

This is a terrific account for people of all ages and for anyone looking for an account that allows them choice in features. Are you ready to sign up? Click here to open your account online today! We also welcome you into our 13 branches to sit down with a New Accounts Representative and receive the personal service you deserve.

HSA 2013 Tax Year Deadline Approaches

Posted on February 11, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Are you thinking about opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) with VCNB? Time is drawing near if you want your contributions to count toward the 2013 tax year.

An HSA is beneficial to families and individuals with high deductible insurance plans who want to save money for qualified medical expenses. To be eligible for an HSA in 2014 you must have an annual deductible of at least $1,250 for an individual or $2,500 for a family

Contributions to an HSA are tax deductible and withdrawals to pay qualified medical expenses are never taxed. The money you deposit into your HSA rolls over from year to year and can be used only for approved medical, vision and dental expenses.

April 15, 2014 is the deadline for contributions to count toward the 2013 tax year.

An HSA at VCNB features free checks with unlimited check writing, a debit card, a monthly statement, online access and interest checking with tiered rates. There is a monthly service charge of $3 and an initial set-up fee of $25. However, if you open an HSA now through March 31, 2014 you can find a coupon here. This coupon can be used to waive the initial set-up fee.

Do you believe an HSA is right for you? At VCNB we have account representatives who can talk to you about eligibility requirements and to help you get started! Call your local branch or 1-800-542-5004 to talk with one of our knowledgeable account representatives.

Member FDIC.

Sign Up For Mobile Money Today

Posted on January 30, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Have you ever needed to make a payment or check an account balance at VCNB and wished you could do it from your smart phone? Now you can! Signing up for our Mobile Money is incredibly easy and can be done in just a few easy steps.

The first step to using Mobile Money is that you need a mobile phone with internet capabilities and you need to be enrolled in our online banking service.

Follow these instructions to get our Mobile Money app:

– Go to the App Store or Google Play and download Touchbanking.

– Enter the app code VCNB1867 and your online banking ID.

– Answer your previously set security question.

– Enter your online banking password.

Follow these instructions to enroll in our Mobile Browser Banking or Text Messaging.

– Log in to Online Banking.

– Select the Options tab.

– Click on Mobile Settings.

– Enter phone number and have your mobile device on hand.

– Choose either Mobile Browser Banking or Text Messaging.

– Select accounts to view by phone.

– Read and accept mobile agreement.

Look for a text message to confirm enrollment with a web site address. Save it to your favorites for browser banking.

With just these few easy steps you will be ready to view balances, transfer funds, pay bills, deposit checks and do more with VCNB on your mobile device!

Watch this video to learn more about Mobile Money or click here to read frequently asked questions. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Member FDIC

Count the ways you can use Popmoney®

Posted on January 22, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Have you used Popmoney ® personal payment service at VCNB yet? Do you know what it is?

Popmoney is a way that you can send money to someone electronically. All you need is that person’s email address or mobile phone number. If you are a Bill Pay customer at VCNB, you have access to Popmoney for just .50 cents per transaction.

Owe your roomate for rent this month? No need to write a check or hit the ATM – just use Popmoney® personal payment service.

There are countless ways you can use this service. Here are just a few!

Gifts – Have you ever forgotten someone’s birthday? Maybe you have a nephew graduating college? Send a monetary gift with an e-card through Popmoney at VCNB!
Basketball with friends – One of our employees went to a game with friends but for the group’s tickets to be together, one person had to put it on their card. All the friends just sent the funds through Popmoney. And if you’re the person who shells out the cash for tickets, you can send a reminder to your friends for the amount they owe!
Dinner out with family – Some restaurants won’t split checks for large groups. Make it easy on yourself and let one person put down their plastic while you just use Popmoney to send your share to them.
Kids at college – Kids who are away at college are notoriously short on funds. Help out your child or grandkid by sending them a little extra money!
Monday Night Football – The gang is all together for Monday Night Football. That means pizza and wings and drinks for everyone! If someone forgot to hit the ATM on the way, they can just send funds through Popmoney.
Flowers for the Boss – It’s your boss’ birthday and you know she loves roses. Invite your co-workers to pitch in a few bucks and ask them to send it via Popmoney!
Rent money –Set up a Popmoney transaction to send your share of the rent to your roommate on the same day and for the same amount each month.
Gas money on a trip – Taking a road trip with an old friend? Splitting the cost of gas is easy with Popmoney. You can schedule the funds on your smart phone while you travel down the highway.
Neighborly help – Your kids are sick and you’re out of everything at home. You’re low on cash and can’t get to the bank. If your neighbor offers to pick up some milk, bread and soup for you, just use Popmoney to reimburse them.
When you just don’t have cash – Let’s face it – sometimes you just don’t have cash. Popmoney is a great way to payback someone or send funds when you’re low on cash.

There are lots of ways to use Popmoney. Learn more by visiting our website.

Protect yourself from phishing scams

Posted on January 17, 2014 by vcnbfamily

Today we are warning consumers not to fall victim to phishing scams related to the Target data breach. Phishing attacks use spoofed e-mails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data. By hijacking the trusted brands of banks, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers are able to convince recipients to respond to them.

“Industry experts warn that victims of the Target data breach are particularly vulnerable right now to phishing.,” says VCNB Head of Operations Joe Griffith. “These criminals are capable of sending very legitimate looking e-mails. The most important thing for customers to remember is that we will never ask you for personal information in an e-mail.”

To avoid becoming the victim of a phishing scam, we offer the following tips:

• If you have responded to an email, contact your bank immediately so they can protect your account and your identity.

• Never give out your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax or email, no matter how official it may seem.

• Do not respond to email that may warn of dire consequences unless you validate your information immediately. Contact the company to confirm the email’s validity using a telephone number or Web address you know to be genuine.

• Check your credit card and bank account statements regularly and look for unauthorized transactions, even small ones. Some thieves hope small transactions will go unnoticed. Report discrepancies immediately.

• When submitting financial information online, look for the padlock or key icon at the bottom of your Internet browser. Most secure Internet addresses, though not all, use “https.”

• Report suspicious activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.

If you receive suspicious communication from someone claiming to be from VCNB or representing VCNB, please contact customer service immediately. Customer service representatives are available to help you at 1-800-542-5004 or you can chat with a representative from our website at www.vintoncountybank.com.

Top Ten Reasons You Will LOVE Bill Pay at VCNB

Posted on January 16, 2014 by vcnbfamily

We love Bill Pay and are certain that you will too. In case you don’t want to take our word on that, we put together a list of the top ten reasons we think you will agree!

1 Cost Savings. That’s right. Bill Pay will save you money. How much money do you spend on stamps and checks each month? It adds up quickly over the year and the cost of postage continues to increase.

2 Peace of Mind. Using our secure website to pay bills is safer than sending a check in the mail. Plus, email reminders can help you never miss a due date again!

3 Schedule Payments to Suit Your Needs. If you get a one-time bill from the doctor you can schedule a single payment for that bill. However, if your car insurance is always $104 a month, you can schedule that payment for the same amount on the same day every month for a period of months or for an ongoing period of time.

4 Eliminate Paper Clutter. Save the environment and receive E-bills through Bill Pay. Many companies can send you an electronic bill each month that goes straight to your Bill Pay account. From your account you can review, print and sometimes download your e-bills. And, of course, you can pay those bills with Bill Pay.

5 One word: Popmoney ®. We really, really, really love Popmoney ® personal payment service because it allows you to send money to an individual using only their email or mobile phone number. So if you owe your roommate for rent or a friend for dinner, this is an easy and quick way to send them funds. It costs .50 cents per transaction for you to send and nothing for them to receive!

6 Pay bills anytime, anywhere. Do you work a lot? Have little ones who you hate to drag into the post office to buy stamps? It’s ok. You can schedule Bill Pay transactions from anywhere at anytime using Online Banking or Mobile banking.

7 No monthly limit. With Bill Pay, it doesn’t matter if you pay one bill per month or twenty bills per month. There is no maximum limit on the number of transaction. There is a minimum requirement of one transaction every thirty days to avoid a $3 dormancy fee. But we are certain you will love it so much that dormancy will not be a problem.

8 It will save you time. Think of the time you will save when you don’t have to track down stamps, write checks, lick the envelopes and get the bills into the mail on time! Bill Pay takes care of all that for you!

9 It’s Easy! It takes just a minute to enter account information for each bill you pay. Once that information is added, it will remain in your Bill Pay account until you delete it. That means you will only need to click on the payee, add the amount you wish to pay and the date you want them to receive the funds. It’s as simple as one, two, three!

10 It’s FREE! You read that correctly! You get an easy-to-use, time saving tool that helps you organize your bills while saving money. . . and it’s FREE to use every month!

Want to learn more? Click here to read more about internet banking and Bill Pay!

Health Savings Accounts help with high deductible insurance

Posted on January 14, 2014 by vcnbfamily

This month we are talking a lot about the Health Savings Account or HSA. An HSA is a tax favored savings account created to pay medical expenses.

These accounts are offered to help individuals and families with high deductible health insurance plans to save money for qualified medical expenses. While this is an extremely helpful savings tool, many Americans are not familiar with this kind of account or how it works.

To be eligible for an HSA in 2014 you must have an annual deductible of at least $1,250 for an individual or $2,500 for a family

VCNB Senior Vice President Jane Nickels said that contributions to an HSA are tax deductible and withdrawals to pay qualified medical expenses are never taxed. The money you deposit into your HSA belongs to you – not your bank, employer or the government. That money rolls over from year to year and can be used only for approved medical expenses, according to Nickels.

“Our customers tend to like the HSA because their contributions and distribution are tax free. Once it’s set up, it’s easy to use and easy to maintain,” Nickels said.

She explained that unused money in your HSA isn’t forfeited at the end of the year. Instead, it continues to grow, tax-deferred. “Best of all, the unused money that you accumulate in your HSA rolls over to the next year so you never have to worry about losing your money,” she explained.

Qualified medical expenses are defined by the Internal Revenue Tax Code and you can read a list of these qualified medical, dental and vision expenses here.

A word of caution: any funds you withdraw for non-qualified medical expenses will be taxed at your income tax rate plus 20 percent tax penalty if you are under age 65.

At VCNB, our Health Savings Accounts feature free checks with unlimited check writing, a debit card, a monthly statement, online access and interest checking with tiered rates. There is a monthly service charge of $3 and an initial set-up fee of $25. However, if you open an HSA now through March 31, 2014 you can find a coupon here. This coupon can be used to waive the initial set-up fee.

Do you believe an HSA is right for you? At VCNB we have Account Representatives who can help you get started! Call your local branch or 1-800-542-5004 to talk with one of our knowledgeable accounts representatives. You can also watch a short video on our website by clicking here.